The waste incinerator planned for Ardley by Viridor and the county council would be a monstrous blot in the middle of rural Oxfordshire.

It is costly, unneccessary and would make Ardley a dustbin for other people’s waste.

The public inquiry under way at Bodicote is making it clear that a tall industrial chimney would permanently dominate the landscape for miles around.

Even now it is not too late for the Tory-run county council to think again.

Setting fire to waste is not much better than burying it in holes in the ground. There are alternatives, including mechanical and biological treatment and continuing to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

There is enormous pressure on both planning and waste officers at the county council from their political masters. A second almost identical planning application is waiting in the wings should the appeal be turned down.

Cllr Keith Mitchell and his cabinet have already agreed to meet on July 27 to sign away millions of pound of taxpayers’ money to Viridor.

But I have a feeling the inquiry will support the original all-party planning committee in its decision to say no to the Ardley incinerator. It would be an unfortunate start to the Bicester eco-town to have a giant incinerator immediately to the west.

What a pity Cllr Ian Hudspeth, the cabinet member responsible, has refused to examine alternatives to incineration.

Cllr John Tanner, Executive member for a Cleaner Greener Oxford Oxford City Council